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Goals rain, as grassroots clubs show top quality in Bet9ja football tournament in Benin City

By Nelson Dafe on October 11, 2018

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Top class individual performances, fantastic team moves and beautiful goals; these are the ingredients of any fine competition and the 4th edition of Bet9ja football tournament has served up these ingredients in the first round of matches of the competition which is ongoing at the S&T Army barracks pitches in Isihor, Benin City.

BJ Foundation FC who just won the Edo State League, continued to show their scary goalscoring ability as they pummeled Young Stars FC 7-0 on Wednesday morning. BJ are well-known for their direct style of play, pinning opponents down with aggressive, high tempo play, and they showed that against a shocked Young Stars team who simply could not withstand what they were up against in BJ.

In another Wednesday morning fixture, 2016 Edo State League champions Benin Warriors FC picked up their first win in their group D tie against Bobblers FC.

It was a match that started in a frenetic tempo as both sides searched for an early goal. Bobblers twice came close to taking the lead with some sharp wing play and crosses from their right wing, but Warriors defender Bright Osazuwa proved to be a rock at the back as he thwarted the threats with some last ditch headers to prevent what would have been certain goals for Bobblers.

The Warriors however gained a foothold on the game and started dictating the tempo of the match with some sharp pass and move football.

Two quick-fire goals from Warriors captain Desmond Oji gave his side a comfortable lead at the break.

Desmond scored his first goal with a quick ring shot inside the 6-yard box of Bobblers from a cross by flying right back Destiny Ekewe and Ekewe.

Ekewe also assisted in the second goal with teasing exchange of passes with Oji, after which the later curled in a beauty of a goal with a left leg shot that scraped the far post of the despairing Bobblers ’keeper.

Substitute Courage Aibangbee then came off the bench to add the Thurs in the second half with a smart finish from the cross of Warriors brilliant left back Lucio Izekor.

Aibangbee is a tall and young center forward who can be regarded as a ‘fox in the box’, with his good timing of his runs and ability for ice-cold finishes.

The Warriors would have won with a higher margin from a penalty given after striker Kelvin Ibadin was hacked down late in the game, but Bobblers impressive young goalie got down smartly to save Izekor’s spot kick.

However the Warriors exhibited several brilliant combination play led by their very young and technically gifted midfield of Jeremiah Salami, Friday Amadin and Destiny Agbonavbare to the delight of fans and to see off the game in style.

Also on Wednesday, Ine Stars woke up from their slumber, after they were beaten 3-1 on Tuesday morning by a very young Rockers FC team, to beat Yak FC 3-0. Ine’s performance in their second game was fast and furious and reminded one of the performances they uses to offer in finer days like when they won the Edo State FA Cup in 2016.

Rockers top group C, after making hard work of their match with Fame FC who put up a surprisingly stiff resistance in a game Rockers started as high favorites, after Fame had lost their first match 0-1 to Yak on Tuesday morning.

Rockers won the game 1-0 courtesy of a late penalty.

Happy Boys FC were happier with themselves this time after recovering from their disappointing 1-5 loss to BJ FC to clip the wings of Clibbers 4-1 in what was a shocking result given the high regard that Clibbers are held in in Benin City grassroots football.

So far, the Bet9ja tournament is proving a success organisation-wise as the indefatigable duo of LOC chairman and Bet9ja Super Agent Roland Inonoje and tournament PRO Kennedy Ugbodaga are always on ground to ensure that participating teams enjoy their experience of taking part in this 4th edition of the competition.